Family, friends salute woman killed in shooting

Grape Creek shooting victim was achiever

SONORA — Heather Shane Felts stood out in the memories of many for her emotional strength and her academic and athletic prowess.

"She made everyone feel special, even if she was chewing you out," said her mother, Pam Haynes. "She was good at getting stuff done that nobody could get done."

The sanctuary of First United Methodist Church in Sonora was filled as people attended a service to celebrate the memory of 30-year-old Felts, who was the victim of an Aug. 31 shooting incident in Grape Creek.

Her husband, Matthew Samuel Salazar, 31, was arrested, accused of shooting and killing her and of shooting and injuring Bradley Floyd, 31, according to the Tom Green County Sheriff's Office.

"I never realized how strong she was," said Cheyenne Haynes, Felts' 12-year-old sister, until she tackled a football player one time to get a football for their other sister, Laramie Haynes.

Photos taken over the 30 years of Felts' life showcased a multitude of accomplishments, including skill in barrel racing and being a varsity letterman in basketball, track, tennis, softball and cheerleading.

Pam Haynes encouraged Felts to participate in many athletic activities to build character. During Felts' senior year of high school, Haynes said, she showed an interest in playing tennis even though she had played only once.

"The coach said, ‘But you haven't played since seventh grade, and other kids have dedicated their entire high school career to it,' " Haynes said. He told Felts if she could make the bottom of the girls team he would let her play. "She beat the No. 1 girl on the team and eventually went to state with it," Haynes said. Just the other day, Haynes said Felts was showing her sons, Brodee Felts, 8, and Bryce Felts, 6, how to do flips.

While Felts was remembered as a high achiever, she was most remembered for her relationships with those around her. Even before her death, Haynes often was stopped by people who knew Felts and wanted to introduce themselves to her mother.

"Being in a small town, in a way Heather belonged to us all," said the Rev. Lewis Allen. "Most of us remember her as a curly-haired girl ... with an unshakable confidence."

As Jymmy Kay Cox sang Vince Gill's "Go Rest High on that Mountain," — because "Heather likes the high notes" — some sobbed while others dabbed at their eyes.

By the pulpit sat a large photo of Felts on horseback, bearing an American flag and wearing a black cowboy hat.

"She was on a horse from the time she could walk or sit up," Haynes said with a smile.

Felts was also Miss Sutton County in 2000, raising a record $10,500 to support the community event.

At Sonora Cemetery, family and friends gathered under an outdoor canopy and laid hands on the urn containing Felts' ashes to bid their final farewells.

"It's hard to believe her beautiful soul is not with us anymore," Felts' cousin Shiloh Hadley said through tears. "She got the most out of every day. ... But she is still with each one of us."

Salazar was in the Tom Green County Jail as of 4:50 p.m. Saturday on a first-degree murder charge and an aggravated assault with a deadly weapon charge, in lieu of $700,000 bail. The case is ongoing, law enforcement officials said, and no new information was available.

"I think for most of us peace — real peace — is going to be hard to come by for a long time," Allen said. "Go from this place and look for Christ's peace." People congregated to share stories about Felts as the service drew to a close. Haynes recalled one of Felts' favorite sayings was, "Kill them with your kindness and pick your battles."

"We do not want to neglect to say thank you for the life that was given us, for too short a time," Allen said. "We trust and believe that Heather is in a better place."